Sandy Deutscher Green's Blog, page 9
January 4, 2014
Mac and Cheese Soup? Try It as a Stir-In!
The day after Christmas I made this satisfying soup with the leftover ham, Brussels sprouts, and even macaroni and cheese! I stirred in several large spoonfuls right before serving. It slightly thickened the broth, added more texture with the pasta, and added cheese flavor.
I made it in a crockpot, but it would work just as well on the stove. Start with a 32 oz. container of beef or chicken stock. Add 2-3 cups vegetables: chopped carrots, cubed white and sweet potato, chopped onion, sliced mushrooms, and/or any leftover vegetables. Add ham bone and any extra ham and a 14-oz. can of diced tomatoes. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Cut meat off ham bone and add back to pot. Add enough macaroni and cheese to thicken soup and heat through.
Enjoy!
Filed under: Cooking, Crockpot recipes, Food, Recipes Tagged: crockpot soup, ham soup, macaroni and cheese
December 31, 2013
Twofer Tuesday – 2014 New Year’s Quotes
“Maybe this year, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives not looking for flaws, but looking for potential.” — Ellen Goodman
and
May all your troubles last as long as your New Year’s resolutions! – Joey Adams
Filed under: Holidays, Twofer Tuesdays Tagged: 2014, Ellen Goodman, fireworks, Joey Adams, New Year's quotes
December 11, 2013
Mirror, Mirror – Reflecting on Diana Rodriguez Wallach’s Short Story Collection
Diana Rodriguez Wallach is the author of Mirror, Mirror, a short-story collection based on the Narcissus myth, that includes Reflecting Emmy, Nara Gazing, and Shattering GiGi (Buzz Books 2013). She is also the author of three award-winning YA novels: Amor and Summer Secrets, Amigas and School Scandals, and Adios to All The Drama (Kensington Books).
Mirror, Mirror is the third set of Mythology High stories, which take classic myths and modernize them with teen heroines.
In 2011, Diana published a highly regarded essay in Dear Bully: 70 Authors Tell Their Stories (HarperCollins), and in 2013, she will be featured in the anthology Latina Authors and Their Muses (Twilight Times Books). In 2010 Diana was named one of the Top Ten New Latino Authors to Watch by LatinoStories.com, and she placed second in the International Latino Book Awards. She hold a B.S. in Journalism from Boston University, and currently lives in Philadelphia with her husband and daughter.
1. Do you have a favorite place to write?
I live in a new construction development in Center City, Philadelphia, and the community has a shared space with books, TVs, a pool table, etc. It’s usually empty, and quiet, on weekdays, so that’s where I work. Incidentally, I also hosted my daughter’s first birthday party there. So it’s a very versatile “office.”
2. What is the hardest and easiest part of the writing process for you?
My favorite part is editing the first draft. I love the sense of accomplishment when I type “the end,” and I’m always surprised when scenes or chapters are not as bad as I thought they were. 
My least favorite part of the writing profession is the business end — going on submission, hustling for reviews, negotiating contracts, etc.
3. What five words best sum up your personality?
Creative, Persistent, Impatient, Friendly, and Fun.
4. Other than writing, what else do you love to do?
I’m the mom to a two-year-old, so when I’m not writing, I’m often at playgroups, music classes, story times, or the park. But during those moments when I get to leave the diaper bag at home, I practice yoga, play fantasy football, read YA, and shop in Center City.
5. What are your past, current, and/or next projects?
Prior to my Mirror, Mirror short-story collection, I published three young adult novels: Amor and Summer Secrets, Amigas and School Scandals, and Adios to All the Drama (Kensington Books). The series features a 16-year-old multicultural girl, named Mariana Ruiz, who’s half Polish and half Puerto Rican — just like me. Only she doesn’t feel at all connected to her Puerto Rican roots, so in the first novel when she’s forced to spend the summer on the island, she’s doesn’t react well — that is until she meets her first crush, Alex. Aside from that, I’m currently revising a manuscript I started writing five years ago. It’s my first crack at a YA mystery, and I’m still learning how to properly craft a good mystery/thriller. Thankfully, I have a very generous editor/beta reader who is offering support as I muddle through this learning process. Hopefully, one day I will finish this book and see it in print.
We hope so, too, Diana! Thanks for a great interview! For more information on Diana and to follow her, follow these links:
Filed under: Authors, Writing Tagged: Buzz Books, Diana Rodriguez Wallach, Kensington Books, Latina authors, Mirror Mirror, short story collections, YA author interview, YA fiction
December 10, 2013
Twofer Tuesday – More Tea Quotes with a Christmas Cozy
I couldn’t resist sewing another tea cozy with Christmas fabric. And I couldn’t resist another set of tea quotes!
“Picture you upon my knee, just tea for two and two for tea.” - Irving Caesar
and
“Tea! Thou soft, thou sober, sage, and venerable liquid, thou innocent pretense for bringing the wicked of both sexes together in a morning; thou female tongue-running, smile-smoothing, heart- opening, wink-tipping cordial, to whose glorious insipidity I owe the happiest moment of my life, let me fall prostrate thus, and… adore thee.” – Colley Cibber
Filed under: Twofer Tuesdays Tagged: Christmas tea cozy, Colley Cibber, Irving Caesar, tea quotes
December 9, 2013
Snowy Day Crockpot Soup
Butternut/Potato/Sweet Potato Soup with Irish Soda Bread
BUTTERNUT/BAKING POTATO/SWEET POTATO SOUP
Peel and chop 1 large sweet potato and 1 large baking potato. Boil until tender, drain, and add to crockpot. Meanwhile, seed and microwave 1 medium butternut for about twelve minutes. Peel and scrape into the crockpot.
Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a fry pan and sauté 1 small chopped onion. Stir in 2 tablespoons flour, a pinch of salt, a sprinkle of nutmeg, and a grind of pepper. Add mixture to crockpot along with 1 12-ounce can of chicken broth and a cup of water.
Leave in crockpot on high for 4 hours or low for 6-8. Ten minutes before serving, mash with potato masher, and add 1 cup of milk.
Serve with Irish Soda Bread and enjoy!
Filed under: Cooking, Food, Recipes Tagged: Butternut/Potato/Sweet Potato Soup, crock pot recipes, Irish soda bread, snowy day cooking
December 6, 2013
Send Your Kids to the Beach for Less than $10!
A Christmas trip to the beach may not be in the cards for your family, but that doesn’t mean you can’t send your child on a refreshing mind vacation!
THE TIDE CHANGERS (Penumbra Publishing, 2011) is about thirteen-year-old Ford who overcomes his fear of the water after losing his father in a scuba diving accident and discovers a startling secret about himself and his sister. Legends of underwater people and chilling stories of sea monsters drive Ford and his sister to reveal the truth about the disappearance of their father and what really lies in the ocean depths.
At 127 pages, The Tide Changers is an undersea adventure for children ages 8-13 and a great choice for summer (and winter) reading!
“A riveting read for young readers…very much recommended.”
- The Midwest Book Review
In a seaside town, a fourteen-year-old boy overcomes his fears of drowning and loss in order to save his missing father. In addition to preventing a cataclysmic disaster, he enables his sister to fulfill her own destiny!
Filed under: Authors, Books, Cape May, NJ, Holidays, Photos, Relaxation, The Tide Changers, Writing Tagged: beach reads, Christmas gifts for children, MG books, Penumbra Publishing, The Tide Changers
December 5, 2013
A Year of Starless Nights – An Interview with YA Author DS Milan
DS Milan
Just thirteen years old in rural India, and Shilpi finds out she’s married to an 80 year old! Now what?
Milan Dhir Sandu, writing as DS Milan, has been writing for so many years – she thought of wallpapering her bedroom with the rejections. Then one fine day… Highlights humored her by purchasing an article she had written while she pretended to teach kindergarten. She thought she had finally made it! But it took 10 years and grown kids before she was actually able to write again – this time she was determined, with the help of friends who only told the truth, to get her novel published. So she dusted off her draft, which is now titled A Year of Starless Nights and diligently refined her craft. Magically – it was accepted for publication!
1. Do you have a favorite place to write?
I do, there’s a beautiful sunny window in my bedroom with a comfy seat situated just so… if I get stuck I can look out my window and marvel at how perfect things can be.
2. What do you love most about writing?
The realization that there’s a whole world inside my head that pours out onto the pages when I’m not looking ☺
3. What is the hardest and easiest part of the writing process for you?
I think the hardest part is writing those nasty queries and then sending your baby out into the world… all alone. The easiest part is writing — easy because I think it’s fun – and then rewriting and rewriting and rewriting… you get the picture.
4. What five words best sum up your personality?
Hmmm, only five? Because I’m pretty sure I have two or three people in me –okay… I think I’m introspective, passionate, physical, cerebral and a little strange.
5. Other than writing, what else do you love to do?
That would be yoga ☺ Yoga all over the world! And food (cooking and eating) all over the world!
6. Describe your perfect day.
It’s a leisurely morning, the sun is already up. I take a warm shower and do an hour and half of yoga. I saunter down the stairs for a nice hot cup of tea, and maybe some muesli or a smoothie. I sit outside in the lawn to have breakfast while I watch my dogs run around the yard. I head inside and write! Occasionally I get distracted with emails and such – but not too much, of course ☺
7. Do you have a writing schedule?
Whenever I can – which is not a lot because I work with my husband as he tries to build his business, I teach yoga part time, and I also take care of my in-laws, both in their 80’s and not very mobile.
8. What are your past, current, and/or next projects?
I have written articles and short stories for Highlights and Cricket – which got me excited about the fact that maybe I can write! Currently I have too many drafts of pictures books, middle grade and more YA! I don’t want to talk too much about them just yet.
Thanks, Milan, for a quick peek into your writing journey! You can find out more about Milan and her writing on her website here and on Facebook here.
Fun fact – Milan and I share the same birthdate!
Filed under: Authors, Books, Interviews, Writing Tagged: A Year of Starless Nights, DS Milan, Loose Leaves Publishing, YA author interview
December 1, 2013
Purple Potato Pancakes – The King of Latkes
Ever since purple fingerling potatoes appeared at the grocery store, I wanted to use them in a latke recipe to jazz up my Chanukah dinner. Here’s my version!
PURPLE POTATO LATKES
1.5 lbs. purple fingerling potatoes, peeled and shredded (I used the large blade in my food processor)
1 medium onion, chopped
1/4 cup AP flour
2 eggs
salt and pepper
Squeeze out excess moisture from shredded potatoes and onion in a dishtowel. Place in bowl with rest of ingredients and mix well. Drop by tablespoon into hot canola oil and press flat with back of spoon. Flip when golden brown and continue frying. Drain on paper towels and serve with applesauce or sour cream.
Enjoy!
Purple Potato Latkes
Filed under: Cooking, Holidays, Recipes Tagged: Chanukah, fingerling potatoes, latke recipe, potato pancakes, purple fingerling potatoes, PURPLE POTATO LATKES, purple potatoes, recipes
November 30, 2013
Winning Contest Entry!
Yay! Astraea Press, my publisher for my forthcoming YA novel, No One’s Watching (February 2014), sponsored a 100-word writing contest among its authors. Since we write fiction, the premise was writing an over-the-top reason (well, a big fat lie) about why we need extra money for the holiday season.
I won! Here’s my 98-word poem:
Oscar’s Toe Beans
KEEPING THE TOE BEANS WARM
I check my old purse
It’s empty as air,
I need dough right now
‘cause I’m in despair.
My cats must have shoes
not any will do,
The kind made of silk
in three shades of blue.
Their toe beans are cold
from walking on tile,
They stay on the couch
and sleep in a pile.
I serve them their food
from bowls on a tray,
And groom them with love
through most of the day.
The trips to their box
are really what’s gross,
Those shoes are a must,
I’m turning morose!
Thanks, Publisher Stephanie Taylor!
Filed under: Holidays, Poetry, Whimsy, Writing, Writing Prompts Tagged: Astraea Press, cat shoes, contest, No One's Watching YA novel, Toe Beans, writing contest
